Choose a Ballet Leotard that Fits You and Your Needs

If you’re learning ballet, one of the most important pieces of dancewear for you to own is the ballet leotard. This snug fitting garment will go through a great deal of wear and tear throughout ballet classes so it’s important to make sure you get one that provides a good fit for both you and your needs. When shopping for a leotard, it can be very confusing knowing which leotard to choose so this article is here to point you in the right direction.

The first thing you need to do before you go shopping is to talk to your dance teacher. Most dance teachers have a very specific set of requirements for their uniform. This may be as specific as a particular leotard by a particular brand in a particular colour so it’s important to make sure you’re aware of these requirements before you spend any of your hard-earned cash. The reason that dance teachers like their students to wear a uniform is to meet regulations set out by the examining body such as the Royal Academy of Dance or Imperial Society of Teachers of Dancing, and also to create unity amongst dancers.

If you’ve already spoken to your dance teacher and they don’t require you to wear a uniform, or if your leotard is for something other than regular dance classes, the first thing you need to consider is purpose. As a ballet dancer you will be required to wear a leotard for many different reasons throughout your dance career, and the requirements will be different for each. If you’re buying your ballet leotard for practice, then your main priority should be comfort and functionality. You will be practicing in your leotard for many hours of the day so for this purpose it’s better to choose a leotard with a simple yet durable design. If you’re choosing a leotard for a performance on the other hand, you may want to focus on something a little more stylish in terms of appearance. However, make sure you give yourself plenty of time to practice in it first!

When it comes to choosing a style of leotard, you have a wide range such as camisole, halter neck, long sleeve, short sleeve and tank leotards. If you’re not restricted by uniform or regulation dancewear, go for a style that compliments your body form and body shape as well as possible. Different variations on each of these styles may include scoop necks, criss-cross straps and even adjustable straps which allow you to change the strap positioning. As long as it looks good and feels good, you can’t go wrong!

The range of ballet leotards on the market is constantly growing which has increased the number of features that a leotard may have. It’s important for you to choose a leotard that is a good fit for your body type and build. Features such as the Capezio BraTek bra liner which includes a built-in adjustable bra, different fabrics such as tactel, and different cuts for different leg lengths are all variations that you may find.